HONG KONG, May 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Xinhua Far East China Ratings (“Xinhua Far East”) today placed the BB+ issuer credit rating of Fuyao Group Glass Industry Co Ltd (“Fuyao” or “the company”, SH A 600660) on review for a possible upgrade.
The rating action was prompted by expectations that Fuyao’s capital expenditure will slow and its operating cash flow will improve as a result of its strengthening position in the domestic and global auto glass markets. A proposed private placement to Goldman Sachs would improve its debt repayment capacity, providing further support to its rating profile.
The company has now completed major production bases for the auto producer market, with its investments in auto glass capacity likely to slow after its Beijing and Guangzhou production bases are put into operation in 2007. Still, there are some concerns over ongoing capital expenditure in its float glass lines in Hainan Province, especially considering the company’s historically aggressive investment record.
Its cash flow status has improved, with the gap between CFO and CFI (outflow) narrowing over the past nine quarters. This trend is expected to continue as a result of the company’s strengthening market position. Revenues from its auto glass segment, which accounted for 74.3% of total revenues in 2006, rose from RMB1, 064.2 million in 2002 to RMB2, 888.9 million in 2006. The growth of this segment resulted not only from domestic sales but also from its global OEM business. Domestic sales have grown as a result of growing auto sales and its leading market share. In the global OEM field, Fuyao has passed the verification process of major world-class auto manufacturers, including Ford and GM. Despite tough downstream competition, wavering domestic demand for sedans and RMB appreciation, its profit margins have remained comparatively stable, with its operating efficiency improving slightly.
A probable private placement to Goldman Sachs should also lead to an improvement in its debt repayment capacity. The company’s investors approved on December 11, 2006 the issue of 111.3 million A-shares to Goldman Sachs to raise about RMB890 million, RMB710 million of which will be used to repay long-term bank loans, with the rest to be used as working capital. If the private placement goes ahead, the company’s gross debt/total capital ratio is expected to decline by about 10 pct, not taking into consideration dividend payouts or other large cash flow changes. We also expect Goldman Sachs to help broaden Fuyao’s export channels.
Xinhua Far East’s estimates indicate that Fuyao’s CFO is sufficient for its planned capital investment in 2007, although still not enough to lower its net debt significantly in the near term. As a result, the new stock issue will determine the timing for its rating upgrade.
Fuyao Group Glass Industry Co Ltd is the largest auto glass maker in China. Mr. Cao Dewang, the President of Fuyao, and his wife, are the ultimate controllers of the company, holding a 53.93% stake. The company has six auto glass production bases located near major domestic auto producers. Fuyao has also become the OEM supplier to world auto giants including Ford, GM, Volkswagen and Hyundai.
Fuyao is also a constituent of the Xinhua/FTSE China 200 Index and, as of market close on May 17, 2007, its total A-share market capitalization and investable capitalization were RMB23.4 billion and RMB9.36 billion respectively.
For the rating report summary, please visit http://www.xinhuafinance.com/creditrating .
Note to Editors:
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About Xinhua Far East China Ratings
Xinhua Far East China Ratings (Xinhua Far East) is a pioneering venture in China that aims to rank credit risks among corporations in China. It is a strategic alliance between Xinhua Finance (TSE Mothers: 9399), and Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. Shanghai Far East became a Xinhua Finance partner company in 2003 and the first China member of The Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia in December 2003.
Capitalizing on the synergy between Xinhua Finance and Shanghai Far East, Xinhua Far East’s rating methodology and process blend unique local market knowledge with international rating standards. Xinhua Far East is committed to provide investors with independent, objective, timely and forward-looking credit opinions on Chinese companies. It aims to help investors differentiate the credit risks among the corporations in China, thereby, cultivating their awareness and promoting information disclosures and transparency in China market. For more information, see http://www.xfn.com/creditrating .
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Xinhua Finance Limited is China’s premier financial information and media service provider and is listed on the Mothers Board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399) (OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Bridging China’s financial markets and the world, Xinhua Finance serves financial institutions, corporations and re-distributors through five focused and complementary service lines: Indices, Ratings, Financial News, Investor Relations, and Distribution. Founded in November 1999, the Company is headquartered in Shanghai, with offices and news bureaus spanning 14 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.xinhuafinance.com .
About Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd
Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. is the first and leading professional credit rating company with comprehensive business coverage in China. It is an independent agency established by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences with the mission to develop internationally accepted standards for capital market in China. The company is a pioneer in conducting bond-rating business in China. For years, it has been authorized by the Shanghai branch of the PBOC to undertake loan certificate credit rating.
Since establishment, it has rated over 1,000 corporate long-term bonds and commercial papers, based on the principles of objectivity, fairness and independence. The company has also maintained over 50% market share in the loan certificate-rating sector in Shanghai for three consecutive years. With its strong local presence and knowledge, it provides investors with unique and the most insightful credit opinion. For more information, see http://www.fareast-cr.com .
